The Desk as the Scene of Ebert's Political Action

The game's action takes place on Ebert's desk, which subtly depicts Ebert's political rise. Thus, from chapter to chapter, the size and splendor of the desk changes. And the objects present on it, the windows, and the room in which Ebert finds himself also change along with it. At the same time, through the windows can give clues to the events taking place in the chapter. In all sorts of places in the game hide such details that subtly support and refer to the historical content.

The letters that Ebert receives in the game are all fictitious, but are based on actual historical developments. As the addressee or author, Ebert corresponds in the letters with historical figures that are appropriate in terms of content. These range from his wife Louise and sons Georg and Heinrich to friends from the SPD, such as Gustav Bauer, and fictitious individuals who represent affected population groups and address their concerns to Ebert.

The emotional access via said letters helps the players to understand the respective historical events as challenges from the respective moment. den Spielerinnen und Spielern, die jeweiligen historischen Ereignisse als Herausforderungen aus dem jeweiligen Moment heraus begreifen können. In this way, political decisions should become comprehensible in terms of content but also emotionally. In this context, the feeling of compulsion to act or problem congestion was, as we will see, a core element that we want to generate consciously.

"Friedrich Ebert - The Road to Democracy" as a free browser game for teachers and other interested parties

The game was specially designed and implemented for use in an educational context. It is aimed primarily at classes with young people aged 14 and over. Teachers will find a handout with helpful materials and suggestions for use in the classroom. The Handout is available as a free download. The suggestions are based on different requirement levels, competencies and natural content emphases and in part address more media-specific or content-related questions. A chronicle within the game additionally serves as a concise but sound research tool and potential learning aid. Of course, interested parties outside of the educational context are also invited to try the game.

Since July 6, the game is available to everyone free of charge via the link www.ebert-gedenkstaette.de/das-spiel (Game in German).

In der Friedrich Ebert Gedenkstätte

Das Spiel ist außerdem direkt bei unserem Projektpartner in der Friedrich Ebert Gedenkstätte in Heidelberg zu spielen.